Whitewick a whisker off record

IGNORING the southerly wind howling across Beaulieu Heath, veteran cycling ace Stephen Whitewick got within a whisker of Julian Jenkinson’s course record for New Forest Cycling Club’s seven-mile Norleywood circuit.
Whitewick, from Totton, is in form and looking forward to the National Time Trial Championship next weekend with his Contre la Montre teammates.
He certainly didn’t hang about on Tuesday evening clocking 14-59 for the Norleywood-East Boldre loop. His time was a single second outside teammate Jenkinson’s record and 1min 17sec too fast for his nearest challenger on the night: GA Cycles’ Ray Claridge.
Third overall went to Claridge’s teammate Simon Barnes a further 14 seconds in arrears with 16-30. Second claim New Forest CC member Martin Beale (VC St Raphael) took fourth with 16-59.
First full New Forest CC rider was James Bannister, who has had a cracking season, with 17-09 for fifth place while junior clubmate Hugo Walters took sixth with 17-24.
Other excellent rides came from Forest riders Stewart Ward (seventh with 17-29), Geri Robinson (eighth, 17-33), Stuart (ninth, 17-37) and Ben Boardman (11th, 18-40).
GS Europa’s Matt Macdonald slotted into 10th position with 17-55.
The event, the final evening one of the year with the exception of the fun “Downhill” competition on August 28, was a chance to welcome some of the many youngsters who have made enquiries about club membership since the success of the GB team at the Olympic Games.
Others (NFCC unless stated): Phil Underwood 18-47, Tom Butler 18-59, Joe Phillips 19-01, Sam Jackson 19-04, Dan Mitchell 19-13, Nigel King 19-39, Phil Wilks (Sotonia CC) 19-47, Ian Macdonald (GS Europa) 20-00, Elliott Upsom (Come and Try It) 20-13, Alex Setchell (Come and Try It) 20-16, Donna Shaw 20-48, Nigel Gemmell 21-37, Aleksandra Burlinson 21-38, Peter Hawker 21-49, Richard Wills 21-54, Martin Balk 22-02, Carolyn and Peter Weaver (two-up) 22-03, Chris Mills 22-22, Bob Jolliffe 23-13, Steven Wilks 23-26, Gordon Dimmer (CTC) 23-49, Chris Norris 24-03.

Mudlarks, anyone?

Roadman/tester Stewart Ward branched out into cyclocross last winter and intends to do more this season.
After chatting with some members after the final evening event, he realised others might be interested in taking part.
He said: “The closest races are in the wessex league: http://www.wessexcx.co.uk/ and there are quite a few races within an hour or so depending on where you live in the forest: http://www.wessexcx.co.uk/calendar/ .

“As of last Tuesday there is also a good training session on a Thursday nights at Southampton sports centre. All ages welcome. I went last year and the ages seemed to be from about 10 to 50. A good fun session on the grass in the winter, so you’ll need a cylocross bike or mountain bike.
“There are some good skills stuff done each session along with plenty of chances to get out of breath!”
Look up the details at: http://www.wessexcx.co.uk/2012/08/13/cyclo-cross-training-in-southampton/ .
“I’ll be going along next week: August 30,” said Stewart.

“British Cycling also has its own section on the website these days: http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/cyclocross .

“I intend to do quite a few of the Wessex League races. Assuming they let me in, I have also entered the National Trophy race in Southampton (so if anyone wants to laugh at me being lapped they should come and watch!).
“And if anyone wants something really different I did this last year which was probably the most fun race I have ever done: http://www.muddyhell.cx/ , and for the connoisseurs: http://www.rapha.cc/super-cross .
Contact Stewart on his mobile: 07787 530970 or by email at wardstewart@yahoo.co.uk